Course Page for Fall 2025 Regular - Atapattu, Sumudu

We have now entered a new geological epoch called the Anthropocene in which human beings have become the dominant player in affecting the global environment. The unabated quest for economic development and the over-exploitation of natural resources have caused unparalleled environmental degradation and created new environmental problems such as ozone depletion, climate change, and disposal of hazardous waste which have repercussions for the health of people and the planet. The COVID-19 pandemic has added a new layer of complexity to these challenges, highlighting the inter-related nature of human, animal and eco-system health.

This seminar will discuss the root causes of global environmental problems, the international legal framework and principles, and the role of sustainable development in
addressing these environmental issues. It will discuss specific international environmental legal regimes such as biodiversity, movement of hazardous waste, climate change and international trade as well as governance mechanisms, the role of non-state actors and dispute resolution.